A group of 38 US lawmakers has urged Congressional leadership to approve $150 million in fisheries disaster funding to help support several struggling fisheries across the United States.
In a letter led by Senators Jack Reed and Lisa Murkowski, the members of Congress said, "Since 2012 the Department of Commerce declared a number of fishery failures in the United States. Regrettably funding has not been appropriated yet to deal with the effects of these disasters, which continue to affect communities in our states and districts.
"Indeed, while the Senate Appropriations Committee has included $150 million for fishery failures in the FY 2014 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) appropriations bill, funds have not been enacted into law to address the full spectrum of disaster needs."
The Alaska Chinook, Mississippi oyster and blue crab, Northeast Multispecies groundfish and Florida oyster fisheries have all been declared a disaster, as well fisheries affected by Superstorm Sandy.
"For the communities they affect, fisheries disasters are as devastating as other federally-declared disasters. Therefore, we request your assistance in ensuring that the $150 million fisheries disaster mitigation funding included in the Senate-version of the CJS appropriations bill is included in any final FY 2014 funding package," said the letter.
The funds could be used in a variety of ways to provide fishermen vital help including support for emergency financial assistance, operational costs where necessary, economic development programs, and science initiatives to manage the fishery in a timely way that gives confidence to all stakeholders.
